The musicians reported to a nearby hall on Monday evening where they filled out forms and waited to be called. Anne’s heart sank at the sight of all the people milling around, realizing over half the music school must have turned out for the audition. “The competition looks fierce,” she confided to Emma. “I wonder if we have any chance at all.”
Emma was not about to be intimidated. “Nothing ventured, nothing gained. We have just as good a chance as anybody.”
They called Anne’s name minutes later. She and Emma entered a large room to face a panel of four poker faced judges.
“Do you have a CD for accompaniment?” they asked.
Anne looked them straight in the eye and replied, “No. I brought my own accompanist.”
“Very well. You may begin.”
Anne handed a copy of the music to the audition committee, tuned her flute to the piano and nodded to Emma, who smiled back at her. “Go get ‘em, Tiger,” she whispered.
Anne played the rapid, but sweet opening passages of the piece and the allegro section with total confidence. At the end of the day, they felt everything went well. It was now up to the decision of the committee.
One week later Anne and Emma received word they both made it. Their first rehearsal was set for the next Tuesday in the same hall where they auditioned.
When they arrived, Anne noticed there were several faculty members in the orchestra, as well as students. She felt honored to be among them, one of the two flutists chosen from so many. Her flute teacher had another obligation and was not able to do this performance. The flutist who also won the audition, a senior, approached the director while casting a disapproving glance at Anne.
“I’m so sorry Mr. Marquette couldn’t be here. I would have vastly preferred playing with him.”
She sat down next to Anne, ignoring her completely, as if a lowly sophomore was unfit to breathe the same air as a lofty senior.
Anne gritted her teeth at the insult. “Bless your heart, I’m so sorry for your loss,” she whispered, giving her a wooden smile. “I’m sure you’ll have plenty of opportunities to perform with people more worthy of your talent. But in the meantime, I’ve fought too damn hard to be where I am today to put up with your shit!”
After that, they held an uneasy truce, exchanging polite but cool words, only when necessary.
The music they were rehearsing included many love songs and movie themes, few of which dated beyond the 80s. Anne wondered if the event might be a wedding anniversary.
A week before the performance, the director announced they would do their dress rehearsal at the venue. “Meet here at four. Transportation has been arranged for you,” he explained. “Be on time.”
Everyone waited with anticipation during the next rehearsal as the director passed out forms to be filled out. “We need your names and signatures agreeing to the terms of employment. Someone will collect them this evening.”
The first of several black luxury cars arrived at the hall to pick up the musicians.
“Wow!” Emma eyes widened at the sight of them. “You don’t see this very often. My first piano teacher said she had to drive herself to the performance and all the rehearsals. Most of the people who hired her thought musicians were supposed to play for the love of it and shouldn’t expect anything more than the crumbs they offered. My teacher told me she had a burning desire to point out she had yet to find a grocery store that accepted love for payment. All I can say is these people must be rich with a capital ‘R.’ Money is no object,” she concluded, as the drivers held doors open for the musicians.
“And what about your second piano teacher?” Anne asked, with interest.
“Oh! Very different story,” Emma replied. “It cost $350 just to audition and there was no guarantee you’d be accepted. But I was accepted and that was huge! Her name alone was an endorsement that could get a student into Lakeshore. The rest was up to me.”
Anne and Emma rode together during the drive to the northern suburbs. As soon as they arrived, a gate slowly opened to allow them inside the grounds. Anne felt the hairs on her neck stand up as the gate closed behind them.
One by one the cars let off members of the orchestra in front of a limestone mansion. The man who seemed to be in charge directed them to the ballroom. The vast room with a stage at the far end reminded Anne of ballrooms in European castles she’d seen in books at the school library. She remembered dreaming of being a princess, waltzing with a handsome prince in such a beautiful place.
Chairs and stands stood waiting for them. Everyone took a seat and brought out their instruments and music.
Emma checked out the Boston grand piano, playing a four octave scale at lightning speed. “Sweet!” she said, giving her approval.
The same man who escorted them to the venue hurried down the hall to officially greet them. He shook hands with the conductor and turned to address the musicians: “Thank you all for coming tonight. We want to make this evening as comfortable as possible for you. At the break, there will be a buffet outside. On behalf of Tony Romero and his grandniece, whose engagement party you will be playing for, we look forward to your performance.”
Anne’s jaw dropped. She leaned back on her chair for support, feeling faint for a few seconds. She and Emma exchanged surprised looks.
They took a break forty-five minutes later and went outside. The tables were filled with hors d’oeuvres, sliced meats, cheeses, condiments, butter, a variety of breads, fresh fruit and desserts. Emma grabbed some Swiss cheese, ham, rye bread, mustard and mayonnaise to make a sandwich. She added a slice of strawberry cheesecake to her plate for dessert.
“I can’t believe this is happening,” Anne whispered.
Emma turned and shrugged. “Oh, well...anybody who feeds the musicians can’t be all bad.”
Anne filled her plate and headed toward some nearby chairs. She stopped short when she recognized Mitch coming toward her, his mouth set in a thin, angry line.
“What the hell are you doing here?” he demanded.
Irritation flared up inside her. After remaining scarce all this time, Mitch had no right to ask. “Oh, nothing much,” she replied, her voice laced with sarcasm. “Just playing with the orchestra for the engagement party. That’s all. So what the hell are you doing here?”
“My father’s firm represents Mr. Romero and his business interests. They’re finishing up right now, so I thought I’d catch a breath of fresh air.”
Anne raised one eyebrow. “I’m sure you needed it.”
“Don’t go there!”
She tilted her head at a jaunty angle, gazing up at him with narrowed eyes. “I just did!”
“So what do you have against lawyers, anyway?” Mitch demanded.
“Oh, let me count the ways! All the ones I ever saw were paid by the county, whether they bothered to show up for my case or not. If they could make more money elsewhere, why be in a hurry to help some welfare kid? Lawyers are bloodsuckers as far as I’m concerned!” Anne turned sharply away and headed to where Emma was seated.
“What was that all about?” Emma asked.
“Mitch asked why I hate lawyers and I let him have it.”
“Oops!” Emma laughed. “Every time you two make contact, Mitch lights off your fuse. He gets to you every time. It must be true love.”
“Shut up!” Anne barked.
Emma laughed even harder.
With little time to spare, Anne finished eating before they were called back to continue the rehearsal.
As the orchestra began playing again, Tony Romero stood in the back of the room with Mitch and his father, his gaze fixed on Anne.
He turned to Mitch. “I saw you talking to that girl. Do you know her?”
“Not really. I’ve seen her at Giovanni’s once or twice.”
“Who is she?”
Mitch shrugged nonchalantl
y. “I don’t know. Just some student at Lakeshore.”
“Does she have family?”
“No. Her friends tell me her mother was adopted. Her father was killed in a car accident. She was put into foster care after her mother died, so she has no family that she’s aware of.”
Tony placed his hand on Mitch’s shoulder. “People talk, Mitch. She must know something. You need to get to know her better and tell me everything you find out.
“But Mr. Romero, she doesn’t like me at all.”
“Then make her like you. She’s a pretty girl. You know what to do. After all, I’m helping to pay for your education. Your father and I have worked together for the last fifteen years. You wouldn’t want to jeopardize our business arrangement. Would you?” Tony suggested in a silky, smooth voice. “Find out who she is, as a favor to an old family friend.”
Mitch looked to his father for support but he turned away and gazed at the orchestra, pretending to focus on something more important.
As they walked out of the ballroom, Mitch glanced back at Anne one last time and shook his head. No wonder she hated lawyers.
CHAPTER 6
Mitch agreed to show up at the restaurant the next Friday after making the mistake of telling Pete about Tony and his interest in Anne.
“Come on Mitch,” Pete begged. “Romero noticed her. There has to be a reason. This is huge! It could be the big break I’ve been looking for.”
“You know, you might be getting this all wrong,” Mitch pointed out, trying to divert him. “Maybe he just wants her to be his girlfriend. I was hoping to protect her from Tony. I told him she doesn’t like me, but he didn’t buy it. Anne doesn’t need this kind of trouble.”
Pete snorted, unable to hide his amusement. “You protect her? Are you kidding? Anne is a tough nut to crack and given her background, do you honestly think she would hook up with some old Mafia boss? Come on Mitch, you have to give this a try.”
“It’s a bad idea, Pete.”
“Please! Do this as a favor for your best friend!”
“That’s kind of what Tony said. Only it was more of a threat.” Mitch heaved a sigh of frustration, not wanting to disappoint Pete. “Okay, I’ll do it. But I still think it’s a bad idea.”
Pete gave Mitch a sly grin. “So tell me about this threat. Was Tony going to give you cement shoes and dump you in Lake Michigan?”
“Worse than that. He said he would break off all business ties with my father.”
“Oh!” Pete considered this sobering thought for a moment. “Then...it looks like you have no choice.”
Mitch lowered his head in defeat. “Yep. Sure does.”
Mitch and Pete were waiting at Giovanni’s when Anne, Ashley and Emma came through the door. Anne frowned when she caught sight of Mitch. “What’s he doing here?”
“Probably wants to see you,” Emma suggested, hurrying over to sit next to Pete. Ashley grabbed the chair to his right, leaving Anne to sit by Mitch.
Mitch extended his hand in surrender with a hopeful expression. “Sorry. I seem to suffer ‘hoof in mouth’ disease every time I get near you. Let’s call a truce. Okay? Can we still be friends?”
“I guess,” she conceded, without enthusiasm. Giving in to the situation, she shook hands with him.
Mitch turned to Ashley, trying to change the subject. “Do you ever hear from Tom?”
“Yeah, he calls from time to time. He says he loves the nice weather and all the outdoor stuff.”
“Since he wants to go into Sports Medicine, California is a perfect match for him,” Mitch pointed out.
“There’s every sport you could name out there,” Pete added, nodding in agreement.
“He mentioned he likes to go to the coast,” Ashley added. “No doubt, there are lots of beautiful girls by the ocean. He’ll forget I ever existed.”
“No way! ” Anne countered. “Those airhead beach babes don’t hold a candle to you!”
“Thanks.”
Ashley’s mood changed dramatically, her face lighting up as the waiter set a plate down in front of her. “Ah...my two favorite food groups: hamburger and fries.”
Emma squirted a generous dollop of ketchup on her hamburger. “Since your father is such a health food nut, I’m surprised he hasn’t sent the food police after us.”
“Actually, I’ve done some research,” Ashley replied, assuming a scholarly air. “I’ll tell him the ground beef has ten essential nutrients: protein, iron, zinc, and B vitamins. The tomato in the ketchup contains vitamin A, C, and K, calcium, plus lycopene, a natural anti-oxidant. Iceberg lettuce has vitamins A and C, calcium and iron. Onions also have vitamin C, calcium and iron. And we can’t leave out the mushrooms! They have vitamin D and may be useful in regulating glucose levels. The potatoes may be fried, but they’re an excellent source of vitamin C, B6 and potassium. So, what’s not to love here?”
“What about the hamburger bun?” Anne inquired, pointing at her plate.
“We won’t discuss the bun,” she replied, in no uncertain terms.
Everyone laughed, especially Pete. “Why, we have before us a health food feast,” he declared. “Except the bun, of course. Who knew?”
After they finished, the waiter brought their checks. Mitch snapped Anne’s from the table.
“Wait a minute, that’s mine!” she protested.
Mitch challenged her with a stern look. “Not anymore. Friend!”
“Wow!” Emma grinned at Anne and Mitch. “Never a dull moment with you two. I can hardly wait ‘til the next round.”
Mitch walked Anne back to the dorm. Everyone had gathered outside, enjoying the mild fall evening. He found a limestone planter and invited Anne to take a seat. “Can we talk a minute?”
“I guess,” she agreed with some hesitation. “You didn’t need to pay my bill.”
“No, but I wanted to.”
He put his arm around Anne and she arched her neck, looking up at him. “You’re pushing your luck.”
“Oh, I’ve only just begun to do that.” He gave her a gentle kiss.
“Now you’re really pushing your luck.”
“Not done yet. Are you doing anything tomorrow night?”
“No. Not really,” she admitted.
“Good! I’ll pick you up at six.” He kissed her again, a little more deeply this time and got up to leave. “See you tomorrow.”
Anne watched him disappear down the street, a faint smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. She went inside and skipped up the stairs, more lighthearted and carefree than she had ever been in her life.
Emma and Ashley waited expectantly for her. “So, how did it go with Mitch?” Ashley asked.
“It went okay. He wants to take me out tomorrow.”
Emma clapped her hands with glee. “Well, at long last! It’s about time that man made a move. Men are so dense sometimes. It’s a wonder the human race ever survived.”
Anne nervously touched up her makeup just as the buzzer rang at six the next evening.
”Anne Clark, you have a visitor in the lobby.”
She arrived at the bottom of the stairs and caught sight of Mitch holding a big bouquet of flowers.
Mrs. Albright came out of her office at that moment and offered to take them. “I’ll put these in water. You can get them when you come back.”
Mitch hailed a cab and took her to a steak and seafood restaurant near the Merchandise Mart.
The hostess examined the young couple with a critical eye as they approached her in the entryway. “I’m sorry, but we’re all booked up,” she explained dismissively.
Mitch remained polite but firm. “We have reservations under the name ‘Mitchell Randolph.’”
“Mitchell Randolph? Oh...uh...let me check,” she offered, frantically searching the book in front of her. “Yes, I see your name here.” In
a heartbeat her demeanor changed from condescending to deferential. “Right this way, Mr. Randolph.”
Everyone rushed around them in a flurry, anxious to please, setting down menus and bringing glasses of ice water. The waitress hurried over to their table. “Can I get you something to drink?”
Mitch took all this bowing and scraping in stride. “The ice water will do for now,” he told her.
“Is there anything else I can bring?” she continued. “Appetizers? A mini loaf of french bread?”
“I don’t know.” He turned to Anne who shook her head. “No, I think we’re good here.”
Anne’s eyes narrowed, her suspicions aroused. “So, Mr. Randolph, why are these people falling all over each other to please us? Do you bring all your dates here?”
“Actually, I’ve never taken anyone here. They probably recognize my father’s name. He entertains a lot of clients at this restaurant.”
“Oh!” Anne’s face turned crimson with embarrassment. She grabbed her menu. “So what’s good?”
“Just about everything. They fly the seafood in fresh daily and the steaks melt in your mouth. I highly recommend the filet mignon.”
After they ordered, Mitch began probing her about her past. “What made you decide to major in music?”
“When I ended up living with Joe and Mona, they warned Joe I was a troublemaker, but I guess he understood me better than I did. He found a flute at a garage sale and bought it because he thought I should play in the school band. I’d never been good at much of anything so it seemed like a dumb idea to me. I went along with it, though, and pretty soon I realized I caught on way quicker than anyone else. At first I stuck with it to get even for the way they treated me. After a couple years, it became my whole life.”
“I’ll bet everyone was impressed with your talent.”
“Not really. The church we attended invited all the children from acceptable families to play at services, even if they could barely honk out ‘Come to Jesus’ in whole notes. Somehow they never got around to me. You’d think they would’ve at least given me a chance.” Anne paused to give it more thought. “I’ve often wondered if they were afraid to hear me because I might prove them wrong about somebody like me. When people get notions in their head, they’re stubborn as a mule about holding on to them.” Anne leaned forward, placing one hand on the table. “It’s just like tonight, Mr. Randolph. Look at all these people running in circles trying to please us because of your father’s name.”
Prelude to Silence Page 5